Health Care Professionals Frequently Asked Questions
Click on any question below to see what other professionals like you ask about Juven® and nutrition.
To see what your patients might ask about Juven, see Answers to Patients' FAQ. |  Health Care Professionals Frequently Asked Questions
What is Juven? How does Juven differ from Ensure® and Ensure Plus®? Are there any clinical studies using Juven? Who should drink Juven? When should patients begin consuming Juven? How many servings of Juven are recommended per day? Is there a recommended length of time that a patient should consume Juven? Can Juven be tube fed? Can Juven be given via J-tube? Can people without cancer consume Juven? Can Juven be consumed by people with diabetes? Can Juven be consumed by people undergoing radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy? Is Juven suitable for children? Can people who are overweight consume Juven? | What is Juven? Juven is a therapeutic nutritional drink with a patented blend of HMB (β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate), arginine and glutamine created specifically for people who face involuntary loss of lean body mass. A clinical study among people with cancer showed that drinking Juven daily as part of overall care helped build lean body mass. Lean body mass is important for your patients' recovery, strength and survival. Juven also helps patients receiving treatment for wound care or HIV/AIDS.
How does Juven differ from Ensure and Ensure Plus? Juven contains arginine, glutamine and HMB (β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate) to help modulate metabolic changes that occur in people with illness-induced weight loss and non-healing wounds. Ensure and Ensure Plus are excellent sources of the calories and protein needed to meet basic nutrition requirements. Juven is more than just calories — it works at the cellular level to help slow down or regulate the catabolism of lean body mass.
Are there any clinical studies using Juven? In a clinical study, Juven was compared with an isonitrogenous, isocaloric control supplement in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of patients with advanced cancer.1 Patients were asked to drink two servings per day of Juven or the control supplement for four weeks. When used daily as part of overall care for patients experiencing cancer-induced weight loss, Juven was shown to build lean body mass. The control group continued to lose lean body mass. Juven was also tested with people who had experienced AIDS-associated muscle wasting. The study showed that Juven helped increase muscle and support immune function.2 Juven users gained both body weight and lean tissue. Immune status in the Juven users improved as well — CD3 and CD8 T cell subsets increased and viral load decreased.
Who should drink Juven? Juven is designed specifically for people with a medical condition who are at risk of developing or who are experiencing involuntary loss of lean body mass. Juven is also well-suited for patients:
- Experiencing symptoms associated with muscle loss such as:
- Appetite loss
- Weight loss
- Lack of energy or strength
- Weakness or fatigue
- With solid tumors or other advanced cancers
- Undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment
- Non-healing wounds
- HIV/AIDS
When should patients begin consuming Juven? The earlier a patient begins to consume Juven in addition to his or her normal diet, the easier it may be to help manage loss of lean body mass or a non-healing wound.
How many servings of Juven are recommended per day? Two servings per day of Juven are recommended. Studies have shown that two servings are beneficial to people with illness-induced loss of lean body mass.
Is there a recommended length of time that a patient should consume Juven? Normalizing metabolism, building lean body mass and healing wounds take time. Allow at least two to four weeks to see progress when Juven is used as recommended. It is up to you, the health care professional, to decide how long a patient should consume Juven. As a general guideline, Juven can be used:
- When a patient has an active diagnosis
- While undergoing treatment
- In the presence of illness-related weight loss symptoms
- For healing after surgery or injury
- For healing chronic wounds
Can Juven be tube fed? Juven can be used as part of a tube-feeding regimen. Two servings can be fed by tube, with the remainder of the patient's needs being provided by Jevity® or another standard tube-feeding formula.
Can Juven be given via J-tube? For recommended schedule and procedures, including mixing and storage instructions, access and print the Juven Dosing and Administration Guide now.
Can people without cancer consume Juven? Yes, Juven can be consumed by people without cancer. Juven has been clinically shown to support wound healing and to help build lean body mass in people with HIV/AIDS.
Can Juven be consumed by people with diabetes? The decision to use Juven in people who have diabetes should be made by you, a health care professional. It has 75 calories per serving and 1 to 2 grams of sugar per serving, and can be used as 1/2 carbohydrate on the ADA (American Diabetes Association®) exchange system. As with any change in dietary intake, oral supplementation can affect blood glucose levels. Blood glucose monitoring should be continued on a regular basis to ensure that blood glucose control is maintained.
Can Juven be consumed by people undergoing radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy? Yes, Juven can be consumed by people undergoing radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Maintaining or gaining lean body mass is a key factor in being able to tolerate and continue therapy.
Is Juven suitable for children? Juven is not designed for children younger than 10 years of age. The decision to use Juven for any child should be left up to the child's health care professional.
Can people who are overweight consume Juven? Yes. Loss of lean body mass results in poor outcomes for people of all body sizes. Though it is sometimes difficult to see loss of lean body mass in an overweight patient, anyone who has lost weight may benefit from Juven. |  back to top
| References - May PE, Barber A, D’Olimpio JT, et al: Reversal of cancer-related wasting using oral supplementation with a combination of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, arginine, and glutamine. AM J Surg 2002;183:471-479.
- Clark RH, Feleke G, Din M, et al: Nutritional treatment for acquired immunodeficiency virus-associated wasting using β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, glutamine, and arginine: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. JPEN 2000;24:133-139.
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| Answers to Patients' Frequently Asked Questions | You can expect to be asked a range of questions by patients or caregivers who are curious about Juven. Remind your patients that Juven is to be used under medical supervision. Don’t hesitate to refer them to this Web site for more information. | | General JUVEN Info
How do I know if I need Juven? Should I consult my health care professional before consuming Juven? How long should I drink Juven? What does Juven taste like? How many calories are in Juven? Does Juven contain any protein? When should I start drinking Juven? | How do I know if I need Juven? If you have lost lean body mass and weight due to illness, despite eating enough food, you may benefit from Juven. Signs of muscle loss include loss of appetite, weight, strength, energy and mobility. You may be at an increased risk for loss of lean body mass if you have head and neck, colon, lung, or pancreatic cancer. Juven contains specialized ingredients to help normalize metabolism and help you build and maintain lean body mass.
Should I consult my health care professional before consuming Juven? Juven is a therapeutic nutrition drink and must be used under medical supervision. It is not a complete nutritional product and must be used as part of a balanced diet in order to be effective.
How long should I drink Juven? You should drink Juven as long as there is a chance of loss of lean body mass due to illness. Two packets of Juven a day help you build lean body mass. A clinical study among people with cancer showed that drinking Juven daily, as part of overall care for a four-week period, helped build lean body mass. Talk with your health care professional to see how long you should use Juven.
What does Juven taste like? Juven is a light and refreshing therapeutic nutritional drink that comes in two great-tasting flavors — orange and grape. Juven is a powder that can be mixed with cold water or fruit juice.
How many calories are in Juven? When mixed with cold water, each packet of Juven has 75 Calories; two servings a day provide 150 Calories. There will be more calories if Juven is mixed with juice or other nutrition drinks rather than water.
Does Juven contain any protein? Juven does not contain any protein. However, it does contain two of the 20 common amino acids that make up proteins. This information is important if your health care professional has limited your protein intake due to liver or kidney problems.
When should I start drinking Juven? Most people with illness are at risk for loss of weight and lean body mass. The earlier you start drinking Juven in addition to your normal diet, the easier it may be to manage — or even hold off — your loss of weight and lean body mass. As always, check with your health care professional. | back to top
| JUVEN Usage
How do I prepare Juven? Does Juven need to be consumed with food? Should I take other nutritional products with Juven? Can people with diabetes drink Juven? What is Juven? I heard about it in my support group. When can I try Juven? What does Juven taste like? If I drink Juven, when will I stop losing weight? | How do I prepare Juven? Mix one packet with 8 to 10 fl oz of cold water or fruit juice, stir until the powder is dissolved and enjoy! If you mix Juven ahead of time, refrigerate it in a clean, covered container for up to 24 hours.
Does Juven need to be consumed with food? No, you can drink Juven on an empty stomach, but drinking it with breakfast and dinner is an easy way to remember to take your two daily servings. Juven should be used as a part of a well-balanced diet.
Should I take other nutritional products with Juven? You must eat a well-balanced diet to get the best results from Juven. If you cannot eat a well-balanced diet, talk to your health care professional to see if you should use a medical nutritional product such as Ensure®, Ensure Plus® or other supplements such as multivitamins.
Can people with diabetes drink Juven? Juven contains 7 grams of carbohydrates and, depending on the flavor, 1 to 2 grams of sugar per serving. The diabetic exchange for one packet of Juven is 1/2 starch (1/2 carb). However, as always, consult your health care professional if you have concerns about how Juven might affect your diabetes.
What is Juven? I heard about it in my support group. Juven is a light, refreshing therapeutic nutrition drink with a patented blend of HMB, arginine and glutamine created specifically for people who face involuntary loss of lean body mass or non-healing wounds. Juven is formulated specifically to reverse involuntary loss of lean body mass associated with illness.
When can I try Juven? It is available now. You can order it online, over the phone or through the mail. Abbott Nutrition will send it directly to your home. Juven is also available at Rite Aid, Duane Reade® and Longs Drugs. You can also ask the pharmacist at your local drugstore to order Juven.
What does Juven taste like? Juven is a light and refreshing therapeutic nutritional drink that comes in two great-tasting flavors — orange and grape. Juven is a powder that can be mixed with cold water or fruit juice.
If I drink Juven, when will I stop losing weight? Regaining weight and building muscle take time. Allow at least two to four weeks to see progress. A study of Juven in people with involuntary loss of lean body mass associated with cancer showed a median gain of 2.95 pounds of lean body mass in four weeks, and people with HIV/AIDS showed a median gain of 5.5 pounds of lean body mass in four weeks. | back to top
| JUVEN Results
Does Juven have any side effects? How might starting and stopping Juven affect my results? | Does Juven have any side effects? Juven does not usually cause side effects. However, any change in the diet can cause temporary gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, such as diarrhea or constipation. If you have GI symptoms, you can reduce them by drinking less Juven or by adding more cold water to it. If you have any unusual problems, stop using Juven and talk to your health care professional.
How might starting and stopping Juven affect my results? Juven should be taken as directed (twice daily) for best results. Starting and stopping Juven will most likely result in unsatisfactory results. | back to top
| Purchasing JUVEN
How is Juven packaged and how much does it cost? Where can I buy Juven? | How is Juven packaged and how much does it cost? Juven is available in powder form in single-serving packets (14 packets/box, a one-week supply). Prices may vary. Please see Abbott Nutrition Home Delivery for pricing information.
Where can I buy Juven? Shop for Juven at Rite Aid, Longs Drugs and Duane Reade pharmacies.
Buy Juven online through Abbott Nutrition Home Delivery.
Order Juven over the phone for convenient home delivery by calling (877) GO-JUVEN (877-465-8836).
You can also ask your pharmacist to order Juven for you. | back to top
| Cancer and JUVEN
Should I be concerned about losing weight and muscle? How much is 5 percent weight loss? What is muscle wasting? Why do people living with cancer lose weight? What is Juven and how can it help? Can Juven help me gain weight and lean body mass? What is lean body mass? Has Juven been studied? Is Juven suitable for children with cancer? Can people with cancer who are overweight use Juven? | Should I be concerned about losing weight and muscle? Weight loss of as little as 5 percent of body weight can interfere with your body’s response to your cancer treatment.1,2 Preventing weight and muscle loss may make you feel stronger, which may help you be more active and improve your quality of life.
How much is 5 percent weight loss? Not as much as you might think. If you have dropped just a small amount of weight, you may have already lost 5 percent of your usual body weight. As an example, if you normally weigh 150 pounds and you lose only 7-1/2 pounds, you have lost 5 percent of your usual body weight.
What is muscle wasting? Muscle wasting is what happens when the body breaks down the proteins in muscle for energy. Even if your weight stays the same, your body may still be breaking down muscle for energy.
Loss of muscle can make it harder for you to get better after an illness and stay mobile and active. The effects of muscle wasting are serious and can affect both quality of life and survival. Maintaining muscle is vital for people living with cancer.
Why do people living with cancer lose weight and muscle? Weight loss due to cancer is different from weight loss due to dieting. Certain types of cancer cause changes in the body that result in decreased appetite, burning more calories than normal and increased breakdown of lean body mass.
When your body fights cancer, this response can continue indefinitely. The cancer produces substances that alter the metabolism of protein, carbohydrates and fat, and cause your body to burn calories faster than you can ordinarily replace them.
If you do not address these metabolic changes, eating more food or using conventional nutritional drinks may not be enough to prevent or reverse your weight and muscle loss.
What is Juven and how can it help? Juven is a therapeutic nutrition drink designed to help build and maintain lean body mass in people with cancer. Juven contains a unique blend of three key ingredients — HMB, arginine and glutamine. These three components are naturally found in a healthy body.
- HMB (β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate) helps build lean body mass and protects cell strength and structure.
- Arginine is an amino acid (building block of protein) that is key for building lean body mass, immune cell development and healing.
- Glutamine is an amino acid (building block of protein) that is key for building lean body mass and fueling immune cells and gastrointestinal (GI) cells.
By working together, these three ingredients help counteract some of the changes caused by cancer that lead to weight and muscle loss. The blend of all these important nutrients allows Juven to be helpful in adding muscle to your fight against cancer.
A clinical study among people with cancer showed that drinking Juven daily as part of overall care for a four-week period helped build muscle. Muscle is important to help you feel strong and remain active and independent.
Drinking Juven — twice a day — also supplies these additional benefits for those living with cancer:
- Helps build muscle without fat gain1,3
- Provides 1g of sugar per serving (orange flavor)
- Supports healing4
- Offers an excellent source of calcium
The earlier you start Juven, the easier it may be to manage, or even hold off, your weight and muscle loss. A loss of as little as 5 percent of your body weight may reduce your ability to stay with your cancer treatment. Slowing your weight loss and rebuilding lean body mass can give you more energy for the independence and activities you treasure.
You may see results in as little as four weeks by adding just two servings a day to your regular diet.
Talk with your health care professional to see if Juven is right for you.
Can Juven help me gain weight and lean body mass? Juven has been clinically shown to help build lean body mass in people with cancer.5 Just two packets of Juven a day as part of a complete, balanced diet may help you gain weight and build lean body mass.
What is lean body mass? Lean body mass is functional tissue that is vital for life.6 Specifically, it consists of all components of the body (muscle, bones, organs, skin) except fat. Maintaining LBM is essential for strength, organ function, skin integrity, wound healing and immunity. You may be losing LBM if you have weakness, fatigue, lack of strength or energy, loss of appetite, early satiety (feeling full sooner than normal or after eating less than usual), or weight loss.
Has Juven been studied? Yes, Juven was tested with people who had experienced cancer-associated weight loss. The study showed that Juven helped build lean body mass and increase weight without fat gain.5
Is Juven suitable for children with cancer? Juven is not designed for children younger than 10 years of age. The decision to use Juven for any child with cancer should be left to the child’s health care professional.
Can people with cancer who are overweight use Juven? Yes. Loss of lean body mass results in poor outcomes for people of all body sizes. Though it is sometimes difficult to see a loss in an overweight patient, anyone who has cancer and has lost weight may benefit from Juven. | back to top
| Browse answers to Frequently Asked Questions about drinking Juven to support wound care or recovery from surgery.
References - DeWys WD, Begg C, Lavin PT, et al: Prognostic effect of weight loss prior to chemotherapy in cancer patients. Am J Med 1980;69:491-497.
- Andreyev HJ, Norman AR, Oates J, Cunningham D: Why do patients with weight loss have a worse outcome when undergoing chemotherapy for gastrointestinal malignancies? Eur J Cancer 1998;34:503-509.
- Williams JZ, Abumrad N, Barbul A: Effect of a specialized amino acid mixture on human collagen deposition. Ann Surg 2002;236:369-375.
- Macallan DC: Nutrition and immune function in human immunodeficiency virus infection. Proc Nutr Soc 1999;58:743-748.
- May PE, Barber A, D’Olimpio JT, et al: Reversal of cancer-related wasting using oral supplementation with a combination of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, arginine, and glutamine. AM J Surg 2002;183:471-479.
- Wolfe R. The underappreciated role of muscle in health and disease. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84:475-482.
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| Wound Care and JUVEN
Why is nutrition important in healing? What is muscle wasting and why is it a concern if you have a wound? What is lean body mass? What is Juven and how can it help? How do I know if I need Juven? How long should I take Juven? | Why is nutrition important in healing? Adequate nutrition plays a crucial role in healing. The nutritional needs of people who have wounds are greater than normal, and healing may require extra calories, protein, vitamins and minerals. Drinking enough fluid is also vital because it maintains blood volume, which supports circulation. Good circulation helps supply nutrients and oxygen to tissue.
What is muscle wasting and why is it a concern if you have a wound? Muscle wasting is what happens when the body breaks down the proteins in lean body tissue for energy. This breakdown causes your body to lose muscle and your organs to work less effectively than they should. Even if your weight stays the same, your body may still be breaking down the lean tissue for energy.
Loss of lean body mass and organ tissue can make it harder for you to stay active and get better during or after an illness. The effects of muscle wasting are serious and can affect quality of life. Maintaining lean body mass and organ tissue is vital for proper wound healing.
What is lean body mass? Lean body mass is functional tissue that is vital for life.1 Specifically, it consists of all components of the body (muscle, bones, organs, skin) except fat. Maintaining LBM is essential for strength, organ function, skin integrity, wound healing and immunity. You may be losing LBM if you have weakness, fatigue, lack of strength or energy, loss of appetite, early satiety (feeling full sooner than normal or after eating less than usual), or weight loss.
What is Juven and how can it help? Juven is a therapeutic nutrition drink clinically shown to help build lean body mass2,3 and support wound healing.4 Juven contains a patented blend of three key ingredients — HMB, arginine and glutamine. These three components are naturally found in a healthy body.
- HMB (β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate) helps muscle cells maintain cell strength and structure.
- Arginine is an amino acid that is key for building muscle and promoting wound healing.
- Glutamine is an amino acid that helps cells produce the building blocks they need for new tissue, and is key for building lean body mass.
By working together, these three ingredients help support wound healing and slow the breakdown of protein in muscle.
How do I know if I need Juven? Talk to your doctor. A balanced diet with the right amount of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals may not be enough to help your body heal. Juven is a therapeutic nutrition drink scientifically formulated with three key ingredients shown to help promote healing. These three compounds are naturally found in a healthy body.
How long should I take Juven? Two packets of Juven a day can support wound healing and protein synthesis. Talk with your health care professional to see how long you should use Juven. |  back to top
| References - Wolfe R. The underappreciated role of muscle in health and disease. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84:475-482.
- May PE, Barber A, D’Olimpio JT, et al: Reversal of cancer-related wasting using oral supplementation with a combination of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, arginine, and glutamine. Am J Surg 2002;183:471-479.
- Clark RH, Feleke G, Din M, et al: Nutritional treatment for acquired immunodeficiency virus-associated wasting using β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, glutamine, and arginine: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. JPEN 2000;24:133-139.
- Williams JZ, Abumrad N, Barbul A: Effect of a specialized amino acid mixture on human collagen deposition. Ann Surg 2002;236:369-375.
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| HIV/AIDS and JUVEN
Should I be concerned about losing weight and muscle? How much is 5 percent weight loss? Can Juven help me gain weight and muscle? What is lean body mass? Why do people living with HIV/AIDS lose weight and muscle? What is muscle wasting? What about immune function? What is Juven and how can it help? Has Juven been studied? | Should I be concerned about losing weight and muscle? Weight loss of as little as 5 percent of body weight can greatly increase the risk of complications and disease progression in patients with HIV/AIDS.1
Preventing weight loss and muscle loss may make you feel stronger, which may help you be more active and improve your quality of life.
How much is 5 percent weight loss? Not as much as you might think. If you have dropped just a small amount of weight, you may have already lost 5 percent of your usual body weight. As an example, if you normally weigh 150 pounds and you lose only 7-1/2 pounds, you have lost 5 percent of your usual body weight.
Can Juven help me gain weight and muscle? Juven has been clinically shown to help build muscle and support immune function in people with HIV/AIDS.2 Just two packets of Juven a day as part of a complete, balanced diet may help you gain weight and muscle.
What is lean body mass? Lean body mass is functional tissue that is vital for life.3 Specifically, it consists of all components of the body (muscle, bones, organs, skin) except fat. Maintaining LBM is essential for strength, organ function, skin integrity, wound healing and immunity. You may be losing LBM if you have weakness, fatigue, lack of strength or energy, loss of appetite, early satiety (feeling full sooner than normal or after eating less than usual), or weight loss.
Why do people living with HIV/AIDS lose weight and muscle? People with HIV/AIDS often lose weight because they burn too many calories, because they do not eat enough food or both. Medications and their side effects, such as nausea and diarrhea, can lead to loss of appetite and reduced food intake.
Simply eating more food may not be enough to help you gain weight and muscle. HIV causes changes in metabolism — the way the body uses food for energy. These changes in metabolism can make the body burn more calories than normal and break down muscle and fat.
What is muscle wasting? Muscle wasting is what happens when the body breaks down the protein in muscle for energy. This breakdown causes your body to lose muscle and your organs to not work as well as they should. Even if your weight stays the same, your body may still be breaking down muscle for energy.
Loss of muscle and organ tissue can make it harder for you to get better after an illness and stay mobile and active. The effects of muscle wasting are serious and can affect both quality of life and survival. Maintaining muscle and organ tissue is vital for people living with HIV/AIDS.
What about immune function? For people with HIV/AIDS, nutrition and immune function are closely related.4 Good nutrition may help strengthen immune function.4 Special ingredients in nutritional products may also support immune function.2
What is Juven and how can it help? Juven is a therapeutic nutrition drink designed to help build and maintain lean body mass. Juven contains a patented blend of three key ingredients — HMB, arginine and glutamine.
- HMB (β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate) helps muscle cells produce the cholesterol they need to maintain cell strength and structure without raising blood cholesterol. HMB may also help build support immune function.
- Arginine is an amino acid (building block of protein) that is key for building muscle and for immune cell development.
- Glutamine is an amino acid that is key for building muscle and fueling immune cells and gastrointestinal (GI) cells.
By working together, these three ingredients will build muscle, slow protein breakdown from muscle and support the immune system.
Has Juven been studied? Yes, Juven was tested with people who had experienced AIDS-associated muscle wasting. The study showed that Juven helped increase muscle and support immune function.2 Juven users gained both body weight and lean tissue. Immune status in the Juven users improved as well — CD3 and CD8 T cell subsets increased and viral load decreased.
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| References - Wheeler DA, Gibert CL, Launer CA, et al: Weight loss as a predictor of survival and disease progression in HIV infection. Terry Beirn Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 1998;18:80-85.
- Clark RH, Feleke G, Din M, et al: Nutritional treatment for acquired immunodeficiency virus-associated wasting using β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate, glutamine, and arginine: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. JPEN 2000;24:133-139.
- Wolfe R. The underappreciated role of muscle in health and disease. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84:475-482.
- Macallan DC: Nutrition and immune function in human immunodeficiency virus infection. Proc Nutr Soc 1999;58:743-748.
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